Caravaggio ‘Baroque Masterpieces’ on view in Charlotte
Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from the Roberto Longhi Foundation opens to the public Sunday, April 26, at Mint Museum Uptown (Charlotte) with extended museum hours from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. At the heart of the exhibition is one of Caravaggio’s masterpieces, Boy Bitten by a Lizard, one of fewer than 60 works attributed to the artist who died at age 38. Surrounding this outstanding treasure are 40 other paintings from the Roberto Longhi Foundation created by leading Baroque masters.
In addition, a section of the exhibition is dedicated to the genre of film, photography, and video, and the artists who have referenced the innovations of Caravaggio in their work. From REM’s “Losing My Religion” and Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” music videos, to the films of Martin Scorsese and Isaac Julian, and photographs by David LaChapelle and Tom Hunter, Caravaggio is the acknowledged influencer for generations of modern visual storytellers.
As part of the opening weekend celebration, Professor Cristina Acidini, president of the Roberto Longhi Foundation and will give a presentation Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at Mint Museum Uptown. An Italian art historian from Florence, Italy, Professor Acidini will delve into the life and legacy of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, as well as Roberto Longhi, the 20th-century art historian and collector who helped to re-establish Caravaggio as a Baroque master.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio—known simply as Caravaggio—reshaped European art with bold realism and dramatic light and shadow. Instead of idealized saints, he chose laborers, street vendors, and people with rugged, expressive faces, placing them in contemporary settings for the time. Many artists, dubbed Caravaggisti, adopted his revolutionary realistic style that has influenced generations since.
“Caravaggio, in today’s world, would be considered an ‘influencer.’ The style that he developed in Rome at the beginning of the 17th century was revolutionary and influenced artists across Europe,” says Todd Herman, PhD, president and CEO of The Mint Museum. “His works are dramatic, raw, and emotional—and became a reference point for filmmakers like Martin Scorcese.”
Caravaggio | Revolution is organized by the Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei, in collaboration with The Mint Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.
RELATED EVENTS
Caravaggio Scholar Talk by Professor Cristina Acidini, president of the Roberto Longhi Foundation
Sunday, April 26 | 2–3:30 PM | Free with museum admission
As part of the opening weekend celebration, Professor Cristina Acidini, president of the Roberto Longhi Foundation and Italian art historian from Florence, Italy, will give a presentation about the life and legacy of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, as well as Roberto Longhi, the 20th-century art historian and collector who helped to re-establish Caravaggio as a Baroque master.
TICKET INFORMATION
Special exhibition admission is $10 plus regular museum pricing. Mint members enjoy the exhibition for $10. Mint Museum Uptown is $10 to visit Caravaggio | Revolution during Free Wednesday Evenings 5–9 PM.
For museum hours, visit mintmuseum.org.
THE MINT MUSEUM
Established in 1936 as North Carolina’s first art museum, The Mint Museum is a leading, innovative cultural institution and museum of international art and design. With two locations—Mint Museum Randolph in the heart of Eastover and Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts—the Mint boasts one of the largest collections in the Southeast and is committed to engaging and inspiring members of the global community.
ROBERTO LONGHI FOUNDATION
Founded in 1971 by the will of art historian Roberto Longhi (1890–1970), the Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi is dedicated to fostering art historical research based on his cultural legacy and critical method. Located in his villa “Il Tasso” in Florence, where he lived with his wife Lucia Lopresti (the writer Anna Banti) until his death, it maintains Longhi’s vast library, photo library, and art collection “for the benefit of younger generations” supporting scholars through grants, courses, and seminars.
